Here's an interesting tidbit that my long distance company e-mailed me. Please Please please....Read this and pass it along. Those rat-bastards in Washington deserve everything they get when it all comes crashing down around their lily asses!

Subpoena the White House

As soon as Enron filed for bankruptcy late last year, the public
wondered if this was simply a business scandal, or if the tentacles of
corruption extended into the Bush administration as well.
Unfortunately, we may never find out the answer to this question if
Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Joseph Lieberman (D-CT)
doesn't demand White House officials testify under oath about their
dealings with Enron.
Enron was the largest contributor to the Bush campaign, and their
investment paid off when they were able to handpick the chief
regulator for their own industry. With new evidence that they
manipulated the markets, costing citizens $30 billion, it is truly
astonishing that nobody in the administration has been forced to
testify. Independent prosecutors were named to investigate far less
serious matters involving past presidents. But, Attorney General John
Ashcroft, the nation's top law enforcement official, recused himself
from any investigation into Enron matters because his own campaign
received hefty contributions from the company.
It is up to the Senate to conduct a full investigation. But so far,
we've seen little more than rhetoric and posturing. Senator
Lieberman's request that the White House voluntarily provide his
committee with information has been voluntarily ignored by the White
House. It took a lawsuit by the General Accounting office to force
Bush officials to release documents related to Vice President Dick
Cheney's energy task force. It clearly will require tactics just as
strong to learn the true extent of this administration's connections
to Enron and its attempts to buy influence.
The Senate has the power to compel testimony under oath, and should
use it. Tell Senator Lieberman not waste any time issuing subpoenas to
administration members to testify at comprehensive hearings on this
very important matter.
WAYS TO TAKE ACTION:
YOU CAN LET US MAKE IT EASY FOR YOU:
Call 1-800-995-7575. Listen to the menu and instructions. At the press
of a button, you can request us to send a fax for you at NO EXTRA
COST. Or we can connect you directly by phone to Senator Lieberman.
OTHER WAYS TO MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD:
Attached is a sample letter. You may modify the attached letter or
print it as is, sign and send it off. Senator Lieberman's fax number
is 202-224-9750 and the email is senator_lieberman@lieberman.senate.gov
You can also call Senator Lieberman at 202-224-4041. If you choose to
fax or e-mail on your own please cc: us so we can better track
responses fax: 415/371-1046 Attn: FAN or fan@wafs.com.
SAMPLE LETTER
Senator Joseph Lieberman
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator Lieberman:
As soon as Enron filed for bankruptcy late last year, the public
wondered if this was simply a business scandal, or if the tentacles of
corruption extended into the Bush administration as well.
Unfortunately, we may never find out the answer to this question if
White House officials are not required to testify under oath before
Congress. As chairman of the Governmental Affairs Committee, it is up
to you to demand a full accounting of the administrations dealings
with the company.
Enron was the largest contributor to the Bush campaign, and their
investment paid off when they were able to handpick the chief
regulator for their own industry. With new evidence that they
manipulated the markets, costing citizens $30 billion, it is truly
astonishing that nobody in the administration has been forced to
testify. Independent prosecutors were named to investigate far less
serious matters involving past presidents. But, Attorney General John
Ashcroft, the nation's top law enforcement official, recused himself
from any investigation into Enron matters because his own campaign
received hefty contributions from the company. It is up to the Senate
to conduct a full investigation.
It took a lawsuit by the General Accounting office to force Bush
officials to release documents related to Vice President Dick Cheney's
energy task force. It clearly will require tactics just as strong to
learn the true extent of this administration's connections to Enron
and its attempts to buy influence.
You have the power to compel testimony under oath. Please don't waste
any time issuing subpoenas to administration members to testify at
comprehensive hearings on this very important matter.
Sincerely,
**********************************************************************
FLASH ACTIVIST NETWORK INFORMATION:
If you need to reach a Flash Activist Network Associate you can call
1-800-772-1077 or e-mail fan@wafs.com. You can also write to Working
Assets - FAN, 101 Market Street, Suite 700, San Francisco, CA 94105.
The Flash Activist Network is a special subscriber service of Working
Assets. It is a closed and moderated list. If you wish to find out
more about FAN, visit our Web site at
http://www.workingassets.com/fan. To join or change your account
information, contact the Flash Activist Network directly. Please send
e-mail to fan@wafs.com or call 1-800-772-1077.

may 12

Getting ready to leave the Great State of COnfusion is leaving me no time to rant through the written word. I'll be up and running in a week, hopefully with some new things to ponder. Until then, have a day!

May 2

I have added a link to take you to my friend's pictures. She also took some amazing pictures in NYC on 9/11, and once I figure out the link, I'll post it. Enjoy

May 1

I have been meaning to mention a fantastic book I read when I was pregnant and riddled with insomnia--it's a story of a miracle within the Catholic Church, and whether you are Catholic or not, we must all agree that they need some miracles right about now. The title of the book is "The Accidental Pope" and it's by (I think this is right) Raymond Flynn, who is formerly the Mayor of Boston or something like that. It's worth checking out.

A guy to keep your eye on--Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts. May he become our next president!

I have added a link to a website where you can track the progress of your dollar bills as they travel around the country. This is a neat concept. I've always wondered where my money has been and where it goes once it leaves my hands (other than into the coffers of the tax collectors, utility companies and creditors!)

Got some fanmail from Harry and Larry--they rock! Nice to know someone has a healthy respect for rational opinions! And a big BITE ME to the guy who called me a "liberal intellectual wanna-be". He made "liberal" sound like something dirty. What the hell have you ever done with your life, ya big schmuck!? Probably let your parents do it all for you and sat back to take your share off some damn silver spoon. Ever done a real day's work in your life? And no, I don't devote my weekends off (mainly because I work weekends) to GreenPeace or Save the Whales. I devote my time to raising a fabulous little boy and to my family and my own personal pursuits. While I do believe we are stewards of the planet and should do what we can to protect it, I am more inclined to deal with issues that are closer to home. If my backwater, podunk hicktown participated in recycling, I'd do that too. Can't wait to get back to civilization where you put a box of stuff out on the curb and it is taken to the recycling facility!

I'm including a little something written by Erma Bombeck (one funny woman) Have a groovy day!

> IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck (written after she found out she was dying from cancer.)
I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day. I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage. I would have talked less and listened more. I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.
I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth. I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my
husband. I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.
I would never have bought anything just because it was practical,wouldn't
show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only
chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner." There would have been more "I love you's." More "I'm sorry's." But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute...look at
it and really see it ... live it ...and never give it back. Stop sweating the small stuff.
Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what. Instead, let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do
love us. Let's think about what God HAS blessed us with. And what we are doing each day to promote ourselves mentally, physically, emotionally, as well
shot at this and then it's gone. I hope you all have a blessed day.

April 30

I am wondering why President Dubya has seen fit to cheat American taxpayers out of a boatload of money by giving it to Israeli warmongers. Anyone have any answers? Are there any answers? Millions of American families struggle to make ends meet and our fearless leader is arming soldiers in a war that has not a damn thing to do with the American way of life. I just don't get it. If women ran the world, problems would be solved graciously over a cup of tea and some bonbons. But until that happens, zealots who are willing to die for their religion and a dinky piece of land will continue to kill one another at the expense of American taxpayers. President Bush, if you're out there, knock this silly shit off, and pay attention to the people of your own country!

Back to the restaurant rant: Why in God's name would you let your small child walk around a busy restaurant? I can't even tell you how many children I've nearly injured because they were in the blind spot created by my tray of hot food! I actually knocked a child of about three on her butt because I was very busy and just did not see her walking around. Had she been seriously injured, I would have felt terrible. Parents: restaurants are very dangerous for small kids. Please, for their safety, keep them in their seats. If they must get up and walk around, by all means, walk with them so they will be safe! And placing a child in a car seat on the floor is also very dangerous: I've nearly stepped on children who were minding their business, sleeping on the floor. To think that I could trip and spill hot food on an infant just sends a chill up my spine. Some of this I must attribute to the restaurant I was working at not being baby-friendly and having no real place to put the baby seat. But here is a solution: most infant carriers can be securely placed on a wooden high chair that has been flipped upside-down. At least the baby will be off a dirty floor where she could be injured.

More on the subject of children--I'm not speaking out of my butt here, either--I am a mother and I have worked for years with all kinds of children. Why would a parent give a tiny child Coca-cola or Pepsi or iced tea or Dr. Pepper? Anyone ever heard of hyeractivity? Caffeine is a stimulant. Why not just give your baby a crack-pipe and be done with it? Sugary, caffeinated drinks are not suitable for young children. Often, the parents of children who are hooked on Pepsi are the ones who lament their children's inability to behave themselves. These are the parents who tell their teachers that he child has ADD or ADHD.WHAT ARE YOU PEOPLE THINKING ABOUT?! Diet and nutrition have everything to do with behavior. Kids who eat garbage--lunchables, chips, cookies, candy, caffeine and packaged, processed foods with MSG, modified food starches, added sugar, dyes and chemicals are going to suffer nutritionally. And while you may not mean to malnourish your child, it will show in his behavior and ability to learn! Look at the foods your give your child and look at your child's behavior and grades. There is a distinct correlation. And let me add that it is very difficult to like a child who raises hell wherever he goes. In addition to good food, children need (are you ready?)

DISCIPLINE!

Discipline is not equal to punishment. A Disciple is a pupil...disciple is the root word of discipline. Children need to be shown how to act. Why would a child behave any differently from their parents? Environment is everything. If you let your child do exactly as he pleases, he will continue to do so. Yes, there is a fine line there--we don't want to engage in a power struggle with a child, but modeling the appropriate behavior does far more than threats, pleas, bribes or punishments. If your child won't eat what you have prepared for dinner--too bad. He'll be hungry, won't he? But next time or the time after that or the time after that, he'll remember, and he will eat more than hot dogs or grilled cheese! If your child insists on refusing to do as he is asked, the time-out chair is always there. If he won't cooperate, ignore him--he'll come around! As far as disagreements between parents go, I was watching PrimeTime or Dateline or one of those shows, and there was a feature about parents who fight in front of their children. Witnessing loud, violent fights severely damages children, and it shouldn't be done! Not unless you want your child to be depressed or have a suppressed immune system or any other thing in a litany of ailments. People, please, think about how you are raising your child! Nobody wants to associate with a child who is reckless, ruthless, uncooperative or just plain mean. Some of these things are bound to occur, depending on temperament, but YOU are the parent--it is your job to help your child be a good person!

I waited on a young girl and her son and her mother this weekend. I saw a ruler on the table, but had no idea why it was there. Turns out the girl was beating her 2 year old son in the restaurant with a ruler! It's a very good thing I didn't witness it, because I would have called the police. One of my coworkers saw the whole thing. The child wasn't misbehaving, just being 2. She didn't feed him or give him a drink, so no doubt he was wiggling in his seat! If a child does something heinous, spank him at home, not in a busy restaurant--and don't use a ruler! I've said it before and I'll say it again: If only ignorance was painful!

April 25

Been reading message boards on AOL while the little prince is sleeping. Can't believe some of the stuff that people come up with! Like the one who said,"Why are Muslims allowed in this country?" I believe there is something in the constitution that our forefathers felt was important-- freedom of religion! I have known a few Muslims in my time and always felt that they were fine people. I had the pleasure of knowing an Irish-Catholic-born guy from Minnesota who converted to Islam when he was overseas. He was kind, funny, talented, and absolutely human. He has a family who loves him, a career that he enjoys and a religion that is meaningful to him. He is not a terrorist, a terrorist-sympathizer or a supporter of violence and bloodshed in the name of Allah. We have taken it a step too far when we lump in the good with the bad. Jerry Falwell, Jimmy Swaggart and Jim Bakker are not representative of all Christians, so why should a peacable family who happens to be of the Islamic persuasion become victims of the ignorant school of thought which believes that one's religious persuasion is indicative of possible affiliation with a terrorist cell? Of course anything is possible, but we should take people on an individual basis. There are beautiful cultures and religions represented in this great country because it is allowed. Because our forefathers wanted us to do as we pleased. If we judge someone by their race, religion, culture or whatever, we are no better than the terrorists who attacked our country of any number of occasions, be it 9/11, the USS Cole, the attack on the WTC in the early 90's, or Oklahoma City. Yes, terrorists should be rooted out, but we need to remember that they come in every size, shape and color.

As for the issue of abuse within the Catholic Church...Well, where to start? I'm not Catholic, but I did attend a university run by the Sisters of Mercy. There were priests on campus and monks as well. As far as I know, none of them are involved in the scandal that seems to be tearing up the Church. I was surrounded by loving, kind people and encouraged to think for myself. I was allowed to question their faith and they took it all in stride. I actually told one of the sisters that I wasn't sure it was right to call Jesus the son of God--he was a human being who was indeed a prophet, but I felt that the son of God thing was taking it a bit too far. Sister still gave me an A in the class and did not try to proselytize me. She was a loving woman who accepted me for the inquisitive person that I am. But outside the realm of my college days, I have always felt that the Church and its policies smacked of hypocrisy and power-lust. I read about popes, schisms, heresies, and scandals--many times on my own, in an effort to understand it. The behavior of the people who profess to be "Christians" just baffles me. I believe I've said it before, but I'll say it again--Jesus Christ would absolutely have a shit-fit if he knew of the crimes and atrocities that have been committed in his name. JC would not want us to behave the way we do to one another, whether we are Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Protestant, Catholic, believers or non. What is wrong with people? We have lived together on this planet for how many years, and we STILL cant get along? We are retarded or something!

Priests who commit pedophilia do not do so because they are gay or single. ANY person who commits crimes against a child does so because he is SICK. Unfortunately, the Church has been shielding priests for years against prosecution that any other person in this country would face upon discovery of identical crimes. I could care less if the defendant is a priest. If he molests a child or behaves in any way that is illegal or against his vows as a priest, he should be hunted down. Hey, priests know before they enter the seminary that they are to remain celibate, because that is what the church requires of them (I believe that it is unnatural, but that's not the issue at hand). So maybe upon taking their vows, priests should be required to become castrated. They don't need them anyway! If you don't really want to be a priest and serve God, this should give you pause. Perhaps psychological exams for seminarians are a good idea. The tests can be beat, but at least it would weed out some of the sick bastards. But really, all through the history of the Church, there have been buggerers and pederasts. Only now it is considered criminal.

Food for thought

4/24/2002

I have some very cool people reading me out there in cyberspace. Remember to pass this on. At least if I achieve global domination, the world will indeed be a kinder gentler place--and not the way President Bush the First envisioned it!. Thanks, Larry, for your theory on philosophical warfare in the Mid-east. Something has to work better than what's going on there now. I am perhaps very naive, but if Christians, Muslims and Jews all worsip the same *one* God, why can't we share the Holy Land? Bogus beyond words. Senseless killing that has been going on for far too many years. In the name of a loving God who wants us to go forth and prosper? What the f$#@! Only if we were all worshiping Baal or another pantheistic, blood-thirsy god, should we be behaving, as a collective species, in the way that we are. Again...it's bogus.

Got an email from another reader...Isadore, I think it was (looks like a fake name, but hey, remaining anonymous is acceptable, I guess). Anyhoo, this reader was happy to not be reading about blacks. Why on earth would I say the things that I do and revert to uncivilized BS like slagging people who arent' the same color as me? Makes no sense to me, but then there are a lot of haters out there in the world. Isn't it sad to spend one's life hating people who are black? Or gay, disabled, Jewish, Muslim, foreign, Asian, Native American, or what-have-you? Spend some time converting hate-energy into something useful! Hate is destructive and creates nothing more than a vicious cycle whereby everything becomes tainted with that negative energy. In Eastern cultures it is called the wheel of Karma. To the Aryan haters, Hitlerites, KKK, and other organizations and schools of thought which exploit and incite hatred and misdirected anger, I have only one thing to say (to start with, anyway!)--

Sorry, but my Karma ran over your Dogma!

See, I don't hate, I rant! Ranting serves as a means to let off some steam, let other people know about stuff, and maybe, just maybe, drop a little science on those who may not see things from a variety of perspectives. Before I sign off today, I'd just like to pass on a little something I saw when I was checking out one of the message boards on the topic of Catholic priests who can't keep their pickles on their plates. One world-class ninny actually said that the whole thing was a scandal perpetrated by Jews to bring about the end of the Church. DUH! The way I see it, Jews have thier own problems to contend with. Why should they (as a collective race) give a rat's royal ass about what Catholics are doing? I have so had it with the haters talking about a conspiracy of Jews or blacks or liberals. Life is a damn conspiracy. Life in the USA is a conspiracy, perpetrated by rich, old, white men in suits who sit on the Hill all day and come up with ways to keep thier pockets fat along with the pockets of their constituents. They can all bite me, too!

I have moved all of the older content of this web page to a different link. CLick the Rants of the Past link to view the moved stuff.

4/23/02

I have decided that perhaps dating my entries would be a good idea

Thanks for the e-mail from Ron in Lynn, MA (I have a friend whose family hails from Lynn--God, I love New England! Go Pats!). Ron signed my guest book and made another interesting point about handshaking. He said that in most Asian cultures, a firm handshake is considered offensive. While in Korea, I remember women having a delicate grip, but most men were more on the firm side of the handshaking issue. I will make a point of asking my husband who is Chinese. Thanks for the input Ron. You rock!

So I was at work yesterday, doing my thing, taking care of my guests, having a good day. I get a three-top at one of my tables, an older woman, a younger woman and a girl who's about 9 years old. The older woman had a bitchy attitude the moment she sat down, but I dealt with it. The other two were ok. I took their order, got their drinks and sent their order into the kitchen. About fifteen minutes later, the older woman starts starts giving me stinkeye and making exaggerated shrugging motions as if to say, "where's my food?" I did what I always do, and I approached the table to let them know it would only be a couple more minutes. The older, mean lady starts lambasting me and I again explained that I would go check, that it should only be a few more minutes. For All I knew, the food was waiting to be run out to the table and here I was, wasting time trying to soothe this cantankerous old bag. Again she starts with her bitching and mentioned that it is a medium-rare burger, why is it taking so long. I explained to her that while the burger is med-rare, chicken takes longer to cook to a safe temperature, and the other lady surely doesn't want med-rare chicken. The evil one asked me if I always have such an attitude. I said,"excuse me?" She repeated her nasty question. I replied that I didn't know what she was talking about, to which she responded, "That figures. Go away!" I did, with no intention of going to find her food or inquiring about it, let alone of returning to the table. They asked another server for a manager, and he went over. Later, he told me not to go back, he would finish waiting on them. I told him I had no intention of going back. He took almost $10 off their check, ran their credit card, and sweet-talked them some more. (I actually got a $2 tip! Shocking, I know.) As they got up to leave, the younger one said,"This is for you, Jen" I looked up from the table I was with and said,"OK, thank you." On the table was a note, written on a napkin. Are you ready?

The note on the napkin read as follows: "Jen- The Lord loves us always. He wants us to treat people how we want to be treated. Because of our knowledge of that and your response to where our food is, is why things happen the way it did. We wish you well in everything you do and may God always be with you. The Merrills/Enghs

Needless to say, I was floored. I won't even address the grammatical and syntactical structure of the note. Not only did I get a tip, I got their best wishes. Truly God-loving people, these women. They can sit down in a restaurant, treat their server with indignity and rudeness, and justify their behavior with THE WORD OF GOD!! Didn't Osama Bin Ladin's boys who took out the WTC and Pentagon have a similar agenda? "It's ok, because we're doing it for God." That may be a simplistic way to put it, but that's it in a nutshell. I think that religion can be a very good thing and provide support and a sense of belonging to the millions of people who practice all kinds of religions.
But don't attempt to excuse otherwise inexcusable behavior by hiding behind your God. That is just plain offensive. I have always liked the saying "Saint on Sunday, Sinner on Monday." People with strong religious convictions are often the ones who treat others in an inexcusable manner. I AM NOT, saying that anyone who is a church/synagogue/mosque/temple-going person does this, but more often than not, the people with the Jesus fish on their cars are the ones who will cut you off on the road, screw you out of money, show little compassion to an old person or parent with a child trying to cross the street, steal a parking spot out from under you, put a cartful of groceries on the conveyor belt while someone stands behind them with one or two items. If God is your co-pilot, great! But don't endanger the lives of me and my loved ones because you drive like a f*&$@*g moron! And on and on. Yes, God loves everyone, good or bad. Rude people are probably God's pet project! Catholic priests have been hiding behind the name of God for too many years, and I think everyone knows what I am talking about!

On a similar note, why should we live in a world where the predominant thought is "My god is the only right one, and if you don't worship my way, you're gonna burn in hell for eternity!" My response? BITE ME! There are good people in the world who may not subscribe to a particular religion, but who do the right thing consistently. Don't tell me that the noblest Buddhist monk is going to hell because he doesn't worship a deceased Jewish carpenter. By the way, I think Jesus would have a conniption if he knew what people have been doing in his name all these years! I was approached by missionaries and zealots when I was teaching in an Asian country, and I just wanted to laugh. Here's a guy who speaks no English trying to explain through pictures the idea of redemption through God's love and grace. Telling me thing I already know..I attended a Catholic University. Religion is required coursework. At least the Sisters of Mercy didn't shove it down our throats or threaten the eternities of hell. I accept God's love, but I have HAD IT with the self-righteous, proselytizing, sanctimonious, people who roam this earth. I am happy that they are happy, but get your story straight and practice what you preach!

In any case, my manager was ready to chew me out a new rectum. A neighboring table heard the entire exchange and assured me that I did nothing wrong. One of my co-workers asked that they speak with the manager to get him off my case, which they did. That pretty much cooled his jets. Thank God for normal, rational people with common sense.

speaking of common sense, if I can find an email that my sister sent to me, then I will post it here. It says a lot about today's society. For example, doesn't it make sense that when you purchase a cup of coffee, it will be HOT? Yet some bozo sued because she was burned by a hot cup of coffee. Boo-hoo. Perhaps a cool, refreshing ice coffee is a better choice? Or would you sue for a brain-freeze?

Got an email from Wes, who must be a Floridian...he said that if I Rhode Island makes me happy, I should go back.

Thanks for helping me out, Wes. Don't think I could have reached that conclusion on my own. That's why my home is filled with boxes and there's a truck reserved in my name....we've been counting down the days! 26 left to go...

Got another email from DelAngie who simply filled in the subject line with "unsubscribe...remove!!...Remove!!!" She is not feeling flattered that she is among the chosen. That's ok. I think her name came from one of the messsage boards discussing the viability of integrating the Yeti into society...My feelings are not hurt. I'll just keep plugging away. Rejection shouldn't be new to any of us in this day and age. Long ago, I wrote to my hometown newspaper regarding a letter to the editor where some yahoo was busy hating one of the funnier columnists. I simply replied, "If you don't like it, don't read it! It's not like you're the only person on the face of the planet and this is all there is for you to read!" That's how I feel about DelAngie. My aim is to get some information and diverse opions out there, any way I can. I'm sorry she feels that way, but hopefully not everyone does. For those of you who enjoy reading, please keep it up. I appreciate your patronage! ;o)

and now a word from one of my readers....

Thanks for Jen's Poison Pen. Very informative. As for the junk mail, we send pizza coupons, etc. back in the postage paid envelopes. As for telemarketers, if I answer the phone, I tell them I cannot talk now, because I am f___ing my wife. If she answers the phone, she mumbles that she cannot talk because her mouth is full of ........... This never fails. The calls have been reduced considerably. I apologize, if I offended you, but sometimes a situation requires drastic measures. Hope this helps.
Thanks again for Jen's Poison Pen.
Jesse

I have moved all of the older content of this web page to a different link. CLick the Rants of the Past link to view the moved stuff.